Determining the Effect of Seasonal Variations on Fatty Acids Nutritional Profiles of Cow’s Milk Fat from Asturias. Spain

Abstract

The effect of seasonal and geographical influences on the fatty acid compositions of cow’s milk fat from Asturias (northern Spain) was studied. The majority of the fatty acids analysed presented differences (p < 0.05) due to the seasonal factor, only three fatty acids (iC14; iC16 and C18:1) did not present significant differences (p < 0.05) neither with the seasonal nor with the geographical factor. The short, medium and long chain fatty acids showed differences with the seasonal factor and only the long chain fatty acids presented differences with the geographical area. However, only the unsaturated fatty acids showed differences (p < 0.05) due to both the season of the year and the geographical area. The coefficient of correlation obtained showed a strong linear relationship between the pairs of fatty acids C4-C12, C6-C10 and C10-C12.